Elongated liquid marker

ABSTRACT

An elongated liquid marker comprising a bent tube body having opposed handle and marking end portions. The handle end portion has a liquid-tight threaded connection with a disposable liquid ink or dye cartridge container providing an enlarged, bulb-like axial extension which can easily be grasped and held by the user. An important feature in a marker of this kind is a gravity type check valve in the handle end portion which prevents loss of marking liquid from the tube when the handle end portion is lowered, yet enables unimpeded flow from the cartridge through an inlet port into the tube when the handle end portion is elevated. The marking end portion has a transverse end wall with a rounded, external marking surface and an internal annular seat around a central outlet port which extends through the end wall. A normally closed control valve disc is pressed against the seat by an internal spring. An actuator rod extends from the valve disc through the outlet port and projects beyond the marking surface for engagement with an object to be marked. When pressed against such an object, the actuator rod is displaced inward and moves the control valve disc away from its seat thereby enabling marking liquid to flow through the outlet port onto the object. Embodiments using both pressurized and non-pressurized containers for the hand grip are disclosed.

, United States Patent [191 Stewart [11] 3,788,753 [4 1 Jan. 29, 1974 ELONGATED LIQUID MARKER [76] Inventor: Stanly J- Stewart, 230 W. Monroe St., Carlinville, 111. 60660 [22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 342,472

[52] US. Cl 401/134, 401/190, 401/260, 222/325 [51] Int. Cl B43k 5/16, B43k 1/06 [58] Field of Search... 401/260, 190, 148, 132-135, 401/273, 44; 222/325, 500, 207, 89

FOREIGN 'PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner- Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Davis, McCaleb & Lucas [57] ABSTRACT An elongated liquid marker comprising a bent tube 1/1966 Switzerland 401/148 body having opposed handle and marking end portions. The handle end portion has a liquid-tight threaded connection with a disposable liquid ink or dye cartridge container providing an enlarged, bulblike axial extension which can easily be grasped and held by the user. An important feature in a marker of this kind is a gravity type check valve in the handle end portion which prevents loss of marking liquid from the tube when the handle end portion is lowered, yet enables unimpeded flow from the cartridge through an inlet port into the tube when the handle end portion is elevated. The marking end portion has a transverse end wall with a rounded, external marking surface and an internal annular seat around a central outlet port which extends through the end wall. A normally closed control valve disc is pressed against the seat by an internal spring. An actuator rod extends from the valve disc through the outlet port and projects beyond the marking surface for engagement with an object to be marked. When pressed against such an object, the actuator rod is displaced inward and moves the control valve disc away from its seat thereby enabling marking liquid to flow through the outlet port onto the object. Embodiments using both pressurized and non-pressurized containers for the hand grip are disclosed.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ELONGATED LIQUID MARKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of invention is an elongated marking device for marking in locations or on objects which cannot otherwise be reached conveniently by the user.

There is a need for a tool to mark cattle, hogs, sheep, and other animals, temporarily, for example when they are sorted by sex, weight, vaccination status, or other condition. Another application where such a tool is needed is where police check overtime parking by periodically marking one tire of each car in a timecontrolled parking zone. After a time interval in excess of the legal parking limit, the cars are rechecked, and any with the original marking is obviously overparked. To work most efficiently, a mounted policeman carrying an elongated marker rides past the parked acrs at moderate speed marking one tire of each car as he passes.

At present, the only marker available for such purposes has a piece of crayon or chalk on the end of a stick. An example of this is shown in Sheets US. Pat. No. 2,687,116, dated Aug. 24, 1954. These conventional markers are not entirely satisfactory. Chalks and crayons break under pressure and even with considerable pressure the mark is not always readily visible on, say, the back of a pig or'a wet, dirty tire.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to provide an elongated marking tool for marking animals, automobile tires, and other objects which are beyond the convenient reach of'the user.

A specific object of the invention is to provide such an elongated marker which uses high visibility liquid ink, dye or stain, dispensed from a container cartridge reservoir removably sealed into the handle end portion.

Another object is to provide such a marker in which the ink container cartridge may be the can in which the ink is sold, and it is removably assembled as a hollow grip on the end of the marker and serves both as a liquid reservoir and a handle extension.

Another object is to provide a marker using a liquid ink medium in which an ink-containing reservoir is attached as a hand grip extension of the handle end portion, and the reservoir may be either a pressurized or a non-pressurized container.

Another object is to provide such an elongated liquid marker having a normally closed valve in the marking end portion, and an outwardly projecting actuating rod which opens the valve to permit the flow of ink through an outlet port when the actuating rod is pressed against an object to be marked.

An important feature of.the invention is a gravity type check valve in the handle end portion, adjacent the combined hand grip and reservoir container, to prevent the loss of ink from the marker body if the handle portion is lowered while the container is removed, and to enable unimpeded flow of ink from the container when the handle end portion is elevated.

Briefly, the invention comprises an elongated tube with a gravity type check valve in the handle end portion preventing loss of ink through an inlet port while the reservoir container is replaced, and a normally closed flow control valve in the marking end portion which is controlled by an actuating rod extending through, and projecting beyond, an outlet port to permit the flow'ofink through the outlet port when the rod is displaced inwardly by pressing it against an object being marked. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other object and advantages will be apparent from the following description taken in connection-with the drawings in which:

FIG. I is an overall perspective view of an elongated liquid marker illustrating a preferred form of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of the marker shown in FIG. 1, illustrated for use with a pressurized ink container;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the pressurized container shown in FIG. 2, removed from the marker as sembly; and

FIG. 4 is a modified view of the handle end portion illustrating use with a non-pressurized ink container.

Like parts are referred to by like reference characters throughout the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The elongated liquid marker is generally designated 20. It comprises a tubular body 22 having a handle end portion 24 and a marking end portion 26. The tube is bent as at 28 to facilitate use.

Referring to FIG. 2, a hollow hand grip member 30 may be a pressurized can or cartridge containing marking liquid such as ink or dye 32 and pressurized by a suitable propellent gas, for example Freon, compressed air, or nitrogen. The ink container cartridge 30 has an end wall 34 will a central opening with a conventional pressure-sealed rubber valve member 36 having an axial slit or bore 38 held closed by the pressure in the cartridge.

The cartridge or can 30 has at one end external threads 40 removably engaged with internal screw threads 42 in a bushing 44 suitably fastened to the end of tube 22 as for instance by the threaded connection 46 illustrated. The cartridge 30 may be the container in which ink is originally supplied and may simply be discarded when the ink is used up. A screw cap 47, shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, may be used to protect the valve member 36. Y

A gravity type check valve generally designated 48 includes a seat member 50 having external threads 52 engaging a screw threaded 'bore 54 formed in an internal flange 56. The valve seat member 50 has an external flange 58. A sealing gasket 60 is interposed between flanges 56 and 58.

An outwardly extending central nipple 62, with a through-bore 64, is formed integrally with the valve seat member 50. When assembled as shown in FIG. 2, the nipple extends through, and is sealed within, the rubber valve bushing 36 so ink can flow from the cartridge 30 into the tube 22.

An annular valve seat 66 encircles the bore 64 and is engaged by valve ball 68 when the latter is in the broken line position shown in FIG. 2. A cage consisting of three or four parallel arms 70, inturned at their inner ends, retains the ball 68 for movement between an open position shown in solid line and the aforementioned closed position shown in broken line.

When the handle end portion is elevated as shown in FIG. 2, the ball 68 is down and the check valve 48 is open permitting unimpeded flow of ink from the cartridge 30. When the handle end portion is lowered, as for instance when replacing an empty cartridge 30 with a full one, check valve ball 68 is in its broken line, closed position, keeping ink from flowing out of the tube. This is an important feature, particularly where the ink used would stain the users hands or clothing, and enables ready replacement of the ink supply.

An alternate valve seat memer 50a may be subsituted for the memer 50. This is shown in FIG. 4 and is substantially identical except that it omits the nipple 62.

and is intended for use with a non-pressurized cartridge or can 30a. In the modified arrangement of FIG. 4, ele ments which are similar to those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numeral followed by the letter a, to simplify the disclosure and to make the corresponding parts readily apparent.

In use, the non-pressurized can 30a will have an open end in place of the end wall 34. When the handle end portion 24a is elevated as shown in FIG. 4, ink readily flowddown through the bore 64a into the tube 22.

One of the important features of the invention is the gravity type check valve 48 which enables the can or cartridge 30 (or 30a) to be'replaced without losing ink from the tube 22. To replace an open can 30a, it must be held in an upright position, that is, with its open mouth 49 up, when its threaded external portion 40a is screwed into the threads 42a in the handle end portion. Even to replace a closed can 30, it is convenient to do so with the threaded portion 40 up. In either case, the handle end portion 24 will point down while the can is threaded into it, and it is essential at that time to avoid loss of ink through the then-open receiving end of the tube. This is very effectivelyaccomplished by check valve ball 68 (or 68a) which automatically closes and prevents loss of ink from the tube.

It will be apparent that the handle end portion of the marker is readily convertible from use with a pressurized can to a non-pressurized can simply by substituting valve member 50a for valve member 50.

The marking end portion 26 comprises a bushing 72 suitably fastened to the end of tube 22 as by the screw connection 74 illustrated. It has a transverse end wall 76 with a rounded external marking surface78 engageable with an object to be marked; and it has an inner wall 80 with an annular outlet seat 82 surrounding a central outlet port 84.

A flow control valve generally designated 86 controls flow of ink through the outlet port 84. The flow control valve includes a disc 88 which is normally closed in all positions of the marker, being-pressed against theseat 82 by a spring 90, the opposite portion of which bears against the end of tube 22. An actuator rod or pin 92, with external flutes 94, is carried by the valve disc 88, extends through the outlet bore 84, and projects beyond the marking surface 78.

Use and operation of the improved elongated liquid marker is believed to be obvious from the foregoing description. Briefly, referring first to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, ink, dye, or stain of a suitable color, and either temporary or permanent as required by the end use, will be provided in a pressurized can or cartridge 30. When this is assembled as shown in FIG. 2, on the handle end portion 24 of the marker 20, it will have two functions. First, it will serve as a reservoir container, and ink will flow through the nipple 62 into the tubular body 22. Second, the cartridge 30 will serve as an extension of the handle end portion 24 and provide a grip or handle which may be grasped by the user in manipulating the marker. The ink will flow down to the marking end portion 26 and, when it is pressed against an object to'be marked (such as the back of a hog or the side of a tire), rod 92 will be displaced inwardly, thereby opening from central valve 86 and allowing ink to flow through the outletport 84 onto the object.

Alternatively, where a non-pressurized container is employed, such as that designated 30a in FIG. 4, ink will flow down past the pen valve ball 68a, andmarking will be carried out exactly as described in connection with the FIG. 1-3 embodiment.

In either embodiment, when the actuator rod 92 is depressed, ink flow through the outlet port 84. When the handle end portion 24, or 24a, is in an elevated position, ink flows freely into the tubular body 22; and, when the handle end portion is in a lowered position, the check valve ball 68, or 680, moves into closed position, preventing back flow and loss of liquid from the tube 22.

While two embodiments of one basic form of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, instead of the ball type gravity check valve shown, a swinging disc or flapper type may be used. The parts may be made of plastic or metal. The threaded connection between the supply cartridge and tube may be replaced by a conventional bayonet joint. The invention, therefore, should be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim 1. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube having opposed handle and marking end portions;

a hollow hand grip member having a liquid-tight, threaded connection with said handle end portion, positioned as a manually manipulatable axial extension of said handle end portion, and having an interior reservoir compartment connected with said tube to supply marking liquid thereto;

a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said hand grip, for blocking flow of marking liquid from said tube when said handle end portion is lowered, and for enabling unimpeded flow of marking liquid from said reservoir compartment into said tube when said handle end portion is elevated;

said marking end portion having a transverse end wall with a central axial outlet port, said end wall having a rounded external marking surface engageable with an object to'be marked, and having an inner surface with an annular outlet seat surrounding said outlet port;

a flow control valve disc in said marking end portion movable toward and away from a closed position against said outlet seat;

a spring in said marking end portion biasing said flow control valve disc toward said closed position; and

an actuator rod carried by said flow control valve disc extending through said outlet port and having an outer extension projecting beyond said rounded external marking surface, said actuator rod being movable to open said flow control valve disc in response to engagement of said outer extension with an object to be marked to thereby enabling marking liquid to flow from said tube through said outlet port onto said object.

2. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube member having marking and handle end portions;

a hollow hand grip member having a releasable, liq

uid-tight connection with said tube member, positioned as a manually manipulatable axial extension of said handle end portion and having an interior reservoir compartment for marking liquid connected with the interior of said tube member;

a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said hand grip member, blocking flow of marking liquid from said 'tube member when said handle end portion'is lowered, and enabling unimpeded flow of marking liquid from said reservoir compartment into said tube member when said handle end portion is elevated;

said marking end portion having an end wall with a liquid outlet port and an external marking surface engageable with an object to be marked;

a normally closed flow control valve in said marking end portion controlling flow of marking liquid from said tube member through said outlet port;

a valve actuator rod extending from said flow control valve through said outlet port and projecting beyond said marking surface; and

means for opening said flow control valve in response to inward movement of said actuator rod by contact with an object to be marked to thereby enable marking liquid to flow from said tube member through said outlet port onto said object.

3. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 2 in which said releasable, liquid-tight connection includes a threaded joint and a separate telescopical liquid sealing joint between said hand grip member and said tube member.

4. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 3 in which said separate telescopical liquid sealing joint comprises a tubular extension of one of said members telescopically assembled in a rubber-like valve bushing in the other of said members.

5. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube having marking and handle end portions;

said handle end portion having a liquid inlet port and connecting means formed to releasably and sealably support a combined hollow hand grip and marking liquid supply reservoir as an extension of said handle end portion; 7

a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said inlet port for blocking flow of marking liquid from said tube when said handle end portion is lowered, and for enabling unimpeded flow or marking liquid through said inlet port into said tube when said handle end portion is elevated;

said marking end portion having an end wall with a liquid outlet port and an external marking surface engageable with an object to be marked;

a normally closed control valve in said marking end portion controlling flow of marking liquid from said tube thrugh said outlet port;

a valve actuator rod extending from said flow control valve, through said outlet port, and projecting be yond said marking surface; and

means for opening said flow control valve in response to inward movement of said actutor rod by contact with an object to be marked to thereby enable marking liquid to flow through said outlet port to said object.

6. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 5 in which said connecting means includes a screw member threadedly engageable with a complementary screw member on a combined hollow grip and marking liquid reservoir member, and said connecting means also includes a separate sealing member telescopically engageable with a complementary sealing member on said combined hollow grip and marking liquid rservoir member.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (5/69) I a 1 r CERTIFICA'I E 01 CORREC HON Patent No. Dated January 29, 1974 Invnt r( Stanly J. Stewart It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thet said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Title page, line [76] the address of the inventor should I be --Rural. Route #2, Carlinville, Illinois 62626-. Col. 3, line 11, "memer" should be member--; line 12, "memer" should be -member--; line, 23, "flowd" should be flows. Col. 4, line 14, "pen" should be -open-; line 18, "flow"- should be "--flows-. Col. 5, line 2, "enabling" should be --enable--. Col. 6 line 20, insert'-'flowafter "closed" Signed and sealed this 9th def-j of April 197A.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD FLFLETHERJR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube having opposed handle and marking end portions; a hollow hand grip member having a liquid-tight, threaded connection with said handle end portion, positioned as a manually manipulatable axial extension of said handle end portion, and having an interior reservoir compartment connected with said tube to supply marking liquid thereto; a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said hand grip, for blocking flow of marking liquid from said tube when said handle end portion is lowered, and for enabling unimpeded flow of marking liquid from said reservoir compartment into said tube when said handle end portion is elevated; said marking end portion having a transverse end wall with a central axial outlet port, said end wall having a rounded external marking surface engageable with an object to be marked, and having an inner surface with an annular outlet seat surrounding said outlet port; a flow control valve disc in said marking end portion movable toward and away from a closed position against said outlet seat; a spring in said marking end portion biasing said flow control valve disc toward said closed position; and an actuator rod carried by said flow control valve disc extending through said outlet port and having an outer extension projecting beyond said rounded external marking surface, said actuator rod being movable to open said flow control valve disc in response to engagement of said outer extension with an object to be marked to thereby enabling marking liquid to flow from said tube through said outlet port onto said object.
 2. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube member having marking and handle end portions; a hollow hand grip member having a releasable, liquid-tight connection with said tube member, positioned as a manually manipulatable axial extension of said handle end portion and having an interior reservoir compartment for marking liquid connected with the interior of said tube member; a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said hand grip member, blocking flow of marking liquid from said tube member when said handle end portion is lowered, and enabling unimpeded flow of marking liquid from said reservoir compartment into said tube member when said hAndle end portion is elevated; said marking end portion having an end wall with a liquid outlet port and an external marking surface engageable with an object to be marked; a normally closed flow control valve in said marking end portion controlling flow of marking liquid from said tube member through said outlet port; a valve actuator rod extending from said flow control valve through said outlet port and projecting beyond said marking surface; and means for opening said flow control valve in response to inward movement of said actuator rod by contact with an object to be marked to thereby enable marking liquid to flow from said tube member through said outlet port onto said object.
 3. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 2 in which said releasable, liquid-tight connection includes a threaded joint and a separate telescopical liquid sealing joint between said hand grip member and said tube member.
 4. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 3 in which said separate telescopical liquid sealing joint comprises a tubular extension of one of said members telescopically assembled in a rubber-like valve bushing in the other of said members.
 5. An elongated liquid marker comprising a tube having marking and handle end portions; said handle end portion having a liquid inlet port and connecting means formed to releasably and sealably support a combined hollow hand grip and marking liquid supply reservoir as an extension of said handle end portion; a gravity type check valve in said handle end portion adjacent said inlet port for blocking flow of marking liquid from said tube when said handle end portion is lowered, and for enabling unimpeded flow or marking liquid through said inlet port into said tube when said handle end portion is elevated; said marking end portion having an end wall with a liquid outlet port and an external marking surface engageable with an object to be marked; a normally closed control valve in said marking end portion controlling flow of marking liquid from said tube thrugh said outlet port; a valve actuator rod extending from said flow control valve, through said outlet port, and projecting beyond said marking surface; and means for opening said flow control valve in response to inward movement of said actutor rod by contact with an object to be marked to thereby enable marking liquid to flow through said outlet port to said object.
 6. An elongated liquid marker according to claim 5 in which said connecting means includes a screw member threadedly engageable with a complementary screw member on a combined hollow grip and marking liquid reservoir member, and said connecting means also includes a separate sealing member telescopically engageable with a complementary sealing member on said combined hollow grip and marking liquid rservoir member. 